January 2012 chemo

Annie- they were really random for me too! My nurse said" just enjoy the good weeks!" the end is in site.



I am pretty wiped out today with fatigue and leg pain. Glad I took my boy biking yesterday. As I said carpe diem. We never know what tomorrow will bring.



Was thinking would love to stay in touch with you girls. If anyone would like to connect through fb, send me a pm.

Diane- Congrats on finishing!! I am so happy for you! Reminds us all of the light at the end of this chemo tunnel

Nancy- I can't believe story about your "friend" It is such a long road for us on this journey, and takes all our strength to mentally and physically heal, that I find I have little tolerance now for others self absorption. I wonder if you will decide to accept her friend request? Hugs to you.

Karen- I am so happy to hear the great news for you and your daughter. 

Annie- I also had 2nd Taxol three days ago and keep waiting for the intense bone pain and chemo sick. So far not bad at all. Gives me hope for the last two cycles. I can't believe the unpredictability of the chemo between individuals, but also between cycles.

PC Barbie- Hugs to you for having to face not just your friend's service, but such an insensitive individual. Sounds like you rocked your black hat!

Hoping we all stay side effect free and Happy Easter to all!

My finger nails are twice their thickness and yellow...that can happens to some people.
My right hand is swollen during Taxol is that normal? For some...
My fingernails have large red patches on them, they get larger with each infusion...They'll grow out.
Two of my fingers have turned red...yes, but how are the other fingers?
My finger nails hurt like hell....Can you still button your shirt?
Do you have shortness of breath...Yes!...When your sitting down doing nothing...No.
My temperature keeps fluctuating from 97.3 to 99.8...let us know when it hits 100.1.
My right hand is now very painful...but how is the left?
Were going to need you to monitor that for us and let us know if it gets worse.
My Muscles feel like I pushed a car up a hill....that can happen to some people.
My hot flashes are killing me, once they get going I can't seem to stop them....hmmm.
My face is breaking out in patches...Have you told your doctor...I only see my doctor once every three weeks, so no....well make a point to tell the Doctor about that.
I am having bone pain like I did with the Neulasta shot, 2 days after Taxol=pain killer prescription 90. 90 for love of God...what the hell is down the road that I'm gonna need 90 more pills!!
It feels like Psychological bullshit...these Chemo Infusion Nurses are clueless or are intentionally left clueless...can't argue with stupid...and I will never make a comment or mention a symptom that might actually get an real answer, since they seem to have no answers to give.

Done complaining for now...I am actually doing better than most, I am at work all week, taking ½ off for the Infusion day (some days I'm late, leave early or I am not very productive...but I'm there and not sitting here.. I am pushing through this...I'm just really angry at my treatment...and I can feel my MAD getting worse...feel sorry for them.

Not enough energy for a full reply right now (day 3 after 4th Taxol) but just want to send a group hug to all.



The onc nurses don't even ask about SEs and my MO just nods and writes them down for the patient record and doesn't give any suggestions. I think she assumes I'll ask for what I need...



If you are interested in research like me you're welcome to check my Twitter feed where I link to oncology research news (and recipes for good, pretty, delicious food...). Not sure if allowed to put my Twitter name here so PM me if you want it...



Jenn

I thought this was just my Cancer center, but it seems to be an epidemic!!  What a horrible job they have, lying to our faces and ignoring the pain that we obviously feel.  I hate the way they treat us...my husband says that they will say anything just to get me to take another dose of the Chemo.  I am amazed that they even know that it works on this cancer considering the know nothing else, but that.

Yes I have throat pain, nose bleeds and headaches too...Yes I take the pain meds, lyrica and Ativan...and I never took any drugs, but an Advil here & there before...UGH!!

Just venting here...Thanx for sharing, I don't feel so all alone...I did Thursday..I have one more post that I wrote today and haven't put up yet...which I vent about my last Infusion...I am going to ask for a list of nurses that I have had so far and cross of the meanies...hope they'll do that, It's gonna be even ruffer on them then on me if I can't....I am really a nice person...I hate what they bring out of me.

KristinFro~They have never yet said that that was new or unheard of.  I usually get.."That's rare, but not unheard of.."

Jenn~I'll do that...I'm getting very interested in waht is happening to my veins.

Nancy~some days I feel like you do, some days I feel like dumb cattle to the slaughter.

I had my 2nd taxol on Monday, then on Tuesday, I lost my 20 year old cat.   She passed away at home with me. I had been nursing/treating her for thyroid, kidney and liver problems since last June.   She was doing really good mentally, eating good, but her body was wasting away no matter how much she ate.   It has been an awful week.  My SE's were worse with the 2nd round, especially days 4-6. (I can relate Diane feelling like hit by mac truck!!)   I had extreme aches and bone pains, nausea and my fever went as high as 101.6!  It has been an especially weepy week.  Now, some neuropathy is starting in my hands.    I am so tired of being/feeling sick all the time.  It seems like I have less and less good days.   I cannot wait until the last chemo on the last day of April (30th)!

It is weird though as it seems like my hair is starting to grow back.   I have stubble all over my head.  Anyone else notice this?

Cat - I'm so sorry to hear about your cat.  I lost one last year and it's like losing a child.  My sympathies are with you.  I hope your SE's give you a break.  The end is in sight!

Catwhisperer-I'm sorry about your cat. I just lost my precious cat on March 28. I know how you are feeling today. It's so very sad. You were a great mom and your cat had a wonderful home. I know she will be missed everyday.

Diane - You are not alone!!!!!  We are all right behind you!!!! In fact, we can just jump right in your purse for your next appointment!  We'll have a purse party while we keep you company.  But I do know how you feel.  I usually go to my appointments by myself.  I take a train into Philly and DH meets me after taxol tx since I shouldn't drive while under the influence of benedryl.

I am waiting for the RO's assistant to call me for a simulation appointment.  My RO was away last week, so she had to wait for him to get back to the office. I guess that is what you had today.  I just want to get this show on the road.  I have my last taxol tx on Friday, then on to rads.

Jenn - I'll clear my schedule for Thursday morning.  I'd prefer the purse myself.  I think a pocket might be too tight a fit for all of us.    Take it easy at work!  I think a 7hr day is just fine right now.

Cat - I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty!  It seems that she had a good long life with plenty of love and care.  It is so hard to let them go. Our dog is on her last legs.  We will be making very decisions soon.

Momof2inME - I also am quite fair with many freckles.  I dread going to the dermatologist.  He always want to biopsy stuff.  I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything is b9.

Two days before my third (of 6) dd Taxol, and I'm running a fever again (just under 100).  It hurts to breathe deep - my lungs feel tender (?) or cold. If I breathe deeply too quickly it makes me cough.  Don't know how else to explain it.  This is the exact same thing that happened to me two weeks ago, same day, and landed me in the doctor's office.  So, at least I'm on schedule with my SEs?

Has anyone else having dd Taxol experienced anything like this?  It's certainly possible it's not a SE but since it's happened twice now, I'm wondering...

Hi Annie.  For me, this second round has been just slightly harder than the first round - except this time I knew to expect the extreme pain and was more prepared for it.  The pain has been worse, and lasted longer (just stopped yesterday, although my hips/back are killing me this morning).  I now have neuropathy in my hands and feet - mild, but there.  Something I didn't have the first round.  Oh, and I lost all my eyelashes, nose hairs, and almost all of my eyebrows!  I was hoping my hair would start growing back in but apparently I'm going through a "second shedding" (more hair than I lost on AC).  I have a constant runny nose, with nosebleeds on one side only (it's really weird).  And I'm tired, but I don't think as tired as I was on AC.  I'm having more brain fog than before - trying to write a 15-page research paper for school and just cannot process the information!!  I feel so blessed that I'm only working part-time and going to school part-time, and have a little flexibility - I cannot fathom how so many of you are working full-time!

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts about losing my kitty.   I lost a beloved Maine Coon last July very suddenly, right before finding my lump.   I think the stress and heartache partially attributed to getting the BC.  At least losing my sweet Mini last week wasn't unexpected, just very sad.  I still have Mini's daughter who is 18 years old.  I guess they have something good in their genes.  I also have 6 other kittes, 2 dogs, and 2 Siamese foster kittens (one is my Avitar).

 Nancy - I have about the same symptoms as you.  I have a few days where it hurts to breathe in deeply and then it makes me cough and my heart race.   I am also running a fever off-on, the worst was last Thursday and Friday, with a high of 101.6.  That is really high for me since my normal temp is usually 97.8.  I also have tingling/numbness in my hands the last few days, and a constant running nose.    I am on dose-dense too.  I am dreading the last two treatments as the SE's seem to be getting worse.

Annie- my 2nd round of Taxol was easier than my first. My only SE was that I get tired in the afternoon so I take a nap. I've had very little bone pain. I noticed in the shower yesterday that I'm getting stubble on my legs and under my arms. I may have to start shaving again. I just wish I was getting more stubble on my head!

 I'm hoping rounds 3 & 4 go as well as this one did.